RESIDENTS from parishes near Okehampton at a public meeting this week voiced anger over an application to erect two wind turbines in the area.

One resident claimed the turbines would cause 'enormous damage' to the area.

But the landowner lodging the proposal said the site had only been chosen after 'careful consideration'.

Planning consent is being sought for the turbines — one at Tanners Hill at Thorndon Cross and one on the ridge of Bowerland Road near Meldon.

The applicants are West Devon farmers Phil and Mandi Heard, who are keen to source new ways of generating power.

More than 70 people attended a lively meeting at Sourton Parish Hall on Monday to discuss the application and the potential impact they may have on the area.

Chaired by Cllr John Hockridge, the meeting gave the chance for Mr Heard and Bill Jackson, a representative for Aeolus Power, to communicate the thought and reasoning behind the application.

It also gave local people the chance to express to Mr Heard their support for or concerns about the application.

One of those in attendance who voiced his concerns was Simon Essex, proprietor of the Ashbury Golf Hotel, who said: 'I don't plead for any effect on our business, as we aren't over-reliant on Dartmoor to attract visitors.

'But all small tourism businesses here rely on Dartmoor to attract visitors. Government policy states any project for renewable energy must benefit the community. As of yet, I have yet to see any benefit to the community. Enormous damage will be done to the area.'

One man at the meeting, who also opposed the proposal, said: 'Firstly, if you start nibbling away at the natural beauty, you will eventually lose it all and not be able to get it back.

'Secondly, I don't understand the ethos of the turbines, as they only seem to be viable through subsidies. And thirdly, is it worth upsetting so many people, who are so hostile toward this, for so little return?'

­His comments were met with a round of applause.

Another opponent asked:?'We understand farms are struggling and need to diversify, but do the turbines have to be so dominant on the landscape?'

Mr Heard told the meeting: 'There are two sides to every discussion. We have looked at having PV panels on our buildings, but it would be unsuitable, as there is not enough white light to make it viable.

'We considered five sites on the farm for turbines. One was discounted because it was in the National Park, another because it was near Okehampton.

'After careful consideration we have chosen these sites for their remoteness, and distance from buildings.

'I need to diversify to supplement falling farm profitability. It seems that the main reason there is opposition is that the turbines will affect tourism.

'Two turbines a few miles outside the town built one and a half kilometres apart, I can't believe will affect tourism.'

Mr Jackson said: 'These turbines are comparatively small, and are the most efficient for their size. We believe they will have the least visual impact possible.

'If we don't embrace renewable energy or combat global warming, that could have a much bigger impact on our countryside.'

Mr Jackson said the offer of re-opening the Meldon Reservoir footpath and a peppercorn lease for the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (NDSRT) were not part of the formal application, as the applicant did not want any community benefits to be seen as a form of bribery.

In a later statement the NDSRT stated: 'It is true that the team is seeking new premises but we are currently looking at several potential sites.

'The NDSRT Committee has been informally offered a potential site for new premises by Mr Heard, but this forms no part of this application and we have no agreement with Mr Heard or his agents.'

At the end of the 90-minute meeting, the council took a show of hands to gauge support and opposition to the turbine applications.

Sixteen people voted in favour, while 52 opposed the applications.

The applications can be looked at in full by visiting the website http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk under planning applications 01565/2011 and 01566/2011.

The consultation deadline for the application is June 23.